Modern kitchens often dictate their own ergonomic conditions, and the standard arrangement of refrigeration equipment may no longer be convenient. If you purchased a model Atlant or simply decided to optimize the space, changing the opening side of the doors will be the ideal solution. Manufacturers of household appliances, including the Belarusian brand, provide this possibility in most two-chamber models.
The rehanging process does not require calling a specialist, since the design hinges and awnings was originally designed for dismantling. You do not need complex engineering knowledge or specialized tools; a basic set of home craftsmen is enough. The main thing is to act consistently and not lose small fasteners, which are easy to lose during work.
Before starting work, it is important to clear the space around the unit and prepare a flat surface for folding the removed parts. In this article we will examine in detail how rehang the door on the Atlant refrigerator, taking into account the nuances of different series and design features of the mechanisms. Compliance with the technology will avoid distortions and ensure a tight fit of the seal.
Necessary tools and preparation of the workplace
To successfully complete the task of re-edging the door leaf, you will need a minimum set of tools, which is usually found in every home. The main working tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with different tips (phillips and flat). You may also need an open-end wrench if the design of the fastenings involves the use of bolts for a nut.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the electrical network! This is critical for safety, since you will be working with metal parts in close proximity to electrical components.
In addition to the main tools, prepare a container for storing screws and screws so that they do not scatter on the floor. It will not be superfluous to have a soft cloth or cardboard that can be laid on the floor so as not to damage the floor covering or the door itself when it is temporarily placed. Some models may require hex wrench, which often comes with the appliance.
☑️ Preparing for rehanging
Design features of Atlant refrigerator doors
Refrigerators Atlant are distinguished by a reliable design, but models of different years of manufacture and series may have significant differences in fastening mechanisms. Most modern two-chamber models use a system where the top and bottom hinges are secured with screws, and the middle hinge (if there is one) holds both doors in place at the same time. Understanding the device loop group is the key to successful rearrangement.
It is worth noting that some budget or older models may not have the ability to rehang due to the asymmetrical design of the case or the location of the handles. If the handles are mortise and do not have symmetrical plugs on the other side, the process will be complicated by the need to purchase new components. However, in 90% of cases, the manufacturer provides universal installation.
It is important to distinguish between the types of seals. In new models magnetic seal it can be glued or secured with latches, and its dismantling is not always required, but is sometimes necessary for convenient access to the fasteners. In older models with rubber cuffs, they often require complete replacement or heating with a hairdryer to restore their shape after removal.
Step-by-step instructions: dismantling door panels
You should always start the process from the top door if you have a two-chamber refrigerator. First, remove the trim panel or cover from the top hinge that hides the mounting bolts. Carefully unscrew them, holding the door with your other hand or asking an assistant to prevent it from falling on your feet.
After removing the top hinge, you need to remove the middle hinge that holds the bottom door. It is important here not to lose bushings and washerswhich may fall out during disassembly. Often they are simply put on the hinge axis and are not attached to anything, so they are lost instantly. It is better to immediately move the removed doors away from the work site so that they do not interfere.
- 🔧 Remove all shelves and drawers from the doors to reduce their weight and avoid broken glass.
- 🔧 Disconnect the wires of the backlight or door open sensor, if they passed through the loop (carefully separate the chip).
- 🔧 Use a magnetic bowl or container with a lid to collect screws of different sizes.
When unscrewing the bottom loop, be careful: it is the one that takes the main load when opening. If you plan to keep the old hinges, check them for play. If there is severe wear, it makes sense to immediately replace hinge mechanism with a new one, so that after rehanging you do not have to deal with sagging.
Rearranging the fittings and changing the opening side
The most critical stage is transferring the fastening elements to the opposite side of the case. The refrigerator body should already have technological holes closed with plastic plugs. You need to carefully remove these plugs (usually they are removed with a knife or a thin screwdriver) and install them in place of the old holes.
Next you need to rearrange the handles. If the design allows, the handles are simply twisted 180 degrees or swapped on the opposite side. In some models Atlant the handles are symmetrical, and you just need to turn them over. If the handles are asymmetrical, you may have to use spare parts from the kit or purchase them separately.
| Element | Action when rehanging | Nuances |
|---|---|---|
| Upper loop | Move to another side | Follow the direction of the axis |
| Middle hinge | Turn over or rearrange | Do not lose the bushings |
| Bottom hinge | Rearrange to symmetrical holes | Check the floor level |
| Plugs | Swap | Close the old holes |
What to do if the holes do not match?
In rare cases, when using non-original hinges or after a strong impact, the holes may not match. Do not attempt to drill new holes in the housing! This will damage the thermal insulation and lead to corrosion. Check that the bushings are installed correctly and that all washers are present.
When installing the hinges in a new location, do not tighten the bolts “all the way” immediately. Leave a little play so that you can adjust the position of the door after hanging. This will allow you to achieve an ideal fit around the entire perimeter. fitting the seal around the entire perimeter.
Installing doors and adjusting the position
After all the hinges have been moved, you can begin installing the door panels. First, the lower door is hung, leveled and fixed. Then the top is installed. At this stage, it is critical to check the vertical position: the doors should not fall forward or backward.
Height adjustment is usually accomplished by turning the support screws at the bottom of the refrigerator or adjusting bolts on the hinges. If the door is skewed, loosen the middle hinge, straighten the door blades, and retighten the bolts. The gap between the door and the body should be the same along the entire length.
After mechanical installation, it is necessary to connect the electrical connectors. The wires of the sensors and backlight must be carefully laid in the channels intended for them so as not to be pinched when closing. Check the operation limit switch: when the door is opened, the light should light up, and the compressor (if it is not an inverter with a delay) should react accordingly.
Setting the seal and checking the tightness
After rehanging, magnetic The seal (elastic band) may lose its shape or fit loosely under new conditions. To fix this, you can use a regular hair dryer. Heat the problem areas of the seal with warm air (not hot, so as not to melt the plastic) and at the same time straighten it with your hand.
Checking the tightness is best done using a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper is pulled out with force, the seal is good. If the sheet falls out or is removed too easily, in this place seal it does not fit tightly and requires additional adjustment of the hinge or replacement.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the door still does not close tightly, check whether something is interfering from the inside (for example, incorrectly installed shelf or protruding edge of the package). Also make sure that the refrigerator is strictly horizontal.
To finally fix the shape of the seal, you can leave the refrigerator closed for several hours. During this time, the magnetic tape will take on the desired configuration and thermal insulation will be restored in full. Do not load products immediately, let the unit run idle for at least 30-40 minutes.
Frequent errors and ways to eliminate them
One of the most common mistakes is the incorrect sequence of actions, when craftsmen forget to remove the upper door before the lower one, which leads to fall of the structure. They also often forget about electrical wires, trying to slam the door, which leads to a break in the cable or breakage of the sensor.
Sometimes users lose special bushings or washers, which are necessary for the correct gap between the hinge and the body. Without them, the door may rub against the body or, conversely, move away too much. If you have lost these small parts, do not use random ones, it is better to contact the service center for original spare parts.
- 🚫 Do not use excessive force when tightening the bolts into the plastic case - you can break the threads.
- 🚫 Do not leave the refrigerator open for more than 15-20 minutes unnecessarily, so as not to overload the compressor after inclusion.
- 🚫 Do not ignore distortions: even a slight violation of the geometry will lead to rapid wear of the seal.
If you are faced with a situation where the door sag immediately after installation, most likely the problem is an insufficiently tightened middle hinge or an uneven floor. Adjust the legs of the refrigerator to compensate for uneven floors, and recheck the tightness of all screw connections.
Should I call a professional if I'm afraid of breaking something?
If you have no experience with tools or you doubt your abilities, it is better to turn to professionals. However, if you follow the instructions and act carefully, most users successfully complete this task on their own in 30-40 minutes.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built-in?
With built-in models, the situation is more complicated. Often, dismantling of facades and kitchen panels is required. If the refrigerator is built into a niche on one side, rehanging it may not be possible without disassembling the furniture box. In such cases, it is better to consult the instructions for the specific furniture model.
What to do if a creaking appears after rehanging?
The creaking usually occurs due to metal-on-metal friction in the hinges. Lubricate the hinge axes and rubbing surfaces with special silicone grease. Do not use edible oils (sunflower, olive), as they dry out over time and turn into a sticky mass that collects dust.
Does re-hanging affect the warranty?
According to the law, re-hanging the doors yourself does not deprive you of the warranty if other components of the refrigerator were not damaged in the process (for example, you did not break the condenser screwdriver). However, if you break the thread or break the plastic, this case will not be considered under warranty.
How often should you check the tightness of the door?
It is recommended to carry out a visual inspection and check with a sheet of paper at least once every six months. Over time, the seal wears out and the hinges can weaken under the weight of the food. Timely adjustment will extend the life of your Atlanta.